Common Cold & Pain Relief Meds Pose Serious Risks When Mixed with Alcohol, Experts Warn
london, UK – Combining over-the-counter medications with alcohol can be a “recipe for disaster,” health professionals are cautioning, as seemingly harmless remedies often contain ingredients that interact dangerously with even small amounts of alcohol. Pharmacists and doctors are highlighting the potential for severe health consequences, ranging from liver damage to stomach ulcers, urging individuals to be aware of the risks.
Manny cold and flu remedies contain a combination of paracetamol, phenylephrine hydrochloride, and guaifenesin. kingston University pharmacist and fellow,Dipar Kadmar,explained: “Even small overdoses,or combining paracetamol with alcohol,can increase the risk of serious harm.” The danger stems from the liver’s processing of paracetamol,which produces a toxic by-product called NAPQI. While the body normally neutralizes NAPQI,alcohol places extra strain on the liver,allowing the toxin to accumulate and perhaps cause life-threatening damage.
Decongestants like phenylephrine, commonly found in cold medications, have also come under scrutiny. Experts question their effectiveness, noting that a significant portion of the drug is metabolized in the gut and liver before reaching the nasal passages. For those experiencing cold symptoms and planning to consume alcohol, simpler remedies like steam inhalation or saline nasal sprays are recommended as safer alternatives.
Similarly, anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen, frequently used for backache, period cramps, headaches, and flu symptoms, carry risks when combined with alcohol. The NHS advises against taking ibuprofen for more than ten days without medical advice. Doncaster GP, Dr. Dean Eggitt, warns that ibuprofen irritates the stomach lining, increasing the risk of painful stomach ulcers, which can, in severe cases, lead to peritonitis.
Alcohol exacerbates this risk by relaxing the valve that prevents stomach acid from rising, contributing to heartburn, reflux, and ulcers, particularly in heavy users. The combination of regular painkiller use and alcohol consumption can lead to serious complications like peritonitis – an infection of the stomach lining that can be fatal if left untreated.
The British Liver Trust further cautions that consuming as little as two glasses of wine daily can cause fat to build up in the liver, potentially leading to inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) when combined with frequent ibuprofen use. Pharmacists recommend opting for gentler pain relief methods like hot or cold compresses and rest when consuming alcohol, reserving ibuprofen for periods of abstinence.
